Commonwealth, state, and territory ministers with responsibility for forestry met virtually on Friday 4 September 2026, for the Forestry Ministers’ Meeting (FMM).
Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP, chaired the meeting.
Ministers discussed the impacts of fuel shortages associated with the Middle East conflict and the flow on effects for forestry operations, transport and processing. Ministers acknowledged the implications for industry and agreed to continued information-sharing and monitoring of impacts through officials. Ministers also discussed the geopolitical context in which forestry operations are occurring.
Ministers provided jurisdictional updates on significant matters since the previous FMM and received an update on the implementation of reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Ministers discussed and noted progress to date.
Ministers discussed the proposed stakeholder consultation plan for the review of the National Forest Policy Statement. Ministers discussed in principle support for the review and noted ongoing forestry-industry consultations including in relation to reforms of the EPBC Act. Ministers agreed to progress consultations from 1 July 2027.
Ministers considered and agreed a new 2026-2027 FMM Workplan and updated Terms of Reference, including priorities, actions and timeframes. The FMM Workplan focuses on forestry industry growth and productivity, collaboration between governments and industry, sustainable expansion of forest resources and workforce capability development.
Ministers agreed to meet next in early 2027.
Ministerial attendees
- Australian Government (Chair): the Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- New South Wales: the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture; Minister for Regional New South Wales; and Minister for Western New South Wales represented by Steve Orr
- Queensland: the Hon Anthony (Tony) Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries
- South Australia: the Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development; and Minister for Forest Industries
- Tasmania: the Hon Felix Ellis MP, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management; Minister for Business, Industry and Resources; Minister for Skills and Jobs; and Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy
- Victoria: the Hon Michaela Settle MP, Minister for Rural and Regional Development; Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Water
- Western Australia: the Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
Apologies
- Australian Capital Territory: Ms Suzanne Orr, MLA, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs; Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water; Minister for Housing and Homelessness; Minister for Equality; and Minister for Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity - represented by (observer) Peter Langdon, Director, Forestry, ACT Parks and Conservation Service, City and Environment Directorate
- New South Wales: the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture; Minister for Regional New South Wales; and Minister for Western New South Wales represented by Steve Orr, Secretary, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Northern Territory: the Hon Gerard Maley MLA, Deputy Chief Minister; Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries; Minister for Mining and Energy; Minister for Corrections; Minister for Renewables; and Minister for Recreational Fishing - represented by Jed Matz, Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Northern Territory and Muhammad Sohail Mazhar, Senior Director of Plant Industries, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Northern Territory